ESSEX.

CHELMSFORD TITHE COMMUTATION.— On the 15th of August a meeting was held in vestry, pursuant to notice, for the purpose of agreeing to a commutation of the tithes in this parish. C. G. Parker, Esq., was called to the chair. Those present did not represent that portion of the landowners required by the act. Mr. C. Comyns Parker, however, as the agent of the Rev. C. A. St. John Mildmay, the rector, went into the business, and submitted a proposition to the meeting. The quantity of land in the parish, taking the new parochial assessment as a guide in the absence of a map of the parish, Mr. Parker said he found to be 2393 acres, tenants' measure, of which 859 acres were tithe-free, leaving 1704 acres (landlords' measure) titheable, including arable, pasture, and forty acres of woodland. The poor-rates, Mr. Parker said, he found averaged, during the seven years, 6s. 5d. in the pound, which, when added to the present composition, with other rates, gave a total of 500l., and he felt justified in adding 20 per cent., making 600l. This is about 7s. per acre, landlords' measure. After a short discussion the meeting adjourned. Essex Herald.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

(From a Correspondent.)-The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol commenced his triennial visitation on the 14th August, at Gloucester, when his lordship delivered to the clergy there assembled a powerful address, comprehending most of the important subjects which at this time so vitally affect our church. The church commission occupied, very naturally, (his lordship being one of the commissioners,) a considerable part of the charge. He entered fully into this matter, and shewed very clearly that the schemes of the commissioners had been distorted by the representations of their adversaries; that many of such statements had no other foundation than in the exaggerated apprehensions of the writers. The bishop argued, in our opinion most convincingly, that the commissioners did not recommend the spoliation and confiscation of any part of the chapter property; that they did not interfere with the full and free power which those corporations had exercised in the management and disposal of their property; that they did not seek to violate the rights and privileges of the cathedrals, which their respective visitors were bound, by a sacred obligation, to maintain; that they did not advise or contemplate the alienation of cathedral pro

perty in order to increase lay patronage, and thus to enhance the market price of livings; and that they did not make their recommendations barshly or inconsiderately, nor without seeking necessary information from the most authentic sources.i. e., from the chapters themselves. The bishop then spoke, with feelings of thankfulness, upon the successful establishment of a Diocesan Church Building Association The funds raised by this association already amount to 14,000, of which sum not less than 40004, had been contributed by the clergy. The effects of the association were, the bishop observed, already manifest in the case of some churches whose erection was already begun, and that of several more in preparation. The next topic descanted upon was national education. His lordship propounded the new scheme of the National Society, which was no less than to supply to the whole population means of instruction suitable to their respective stations, attended with such religious discipline as would make them useful members of society, and inheritors of a better life hereafter. To effect the objects of the society, it is proposed to introduce into the several dioceses a new system, ana. logous to that provided by its charter for the National Society itself. In each diocese is to be constituted one central board of management, consisting of the dean, archdeacon, and chancellor, the members of the chapter, and the principal laity of station and rank, and a number of other lay and clerical members, to be elected in equal proportions. This board is to act under the presidency of the bishop. In connexion with this board, it is proposed that in each archdeaconry, and each rural deanery, there shall be formed local boards upon similar principles; and that connected with the cathedral there shall be a central school, for the joint purpose of training schoolmasters for the diocese, and choristers for the cathedral, it being a part of the plan that the elements of music shall be taught with a view to the improvement of psalmody. The bishop, in the next place, urged upon his clerical friends the importance of the newly-established society for providing additional clerical aid in populous parishes, and pointed out most clearly how deserving such an institution was of their support. He then alluded to the two bills introduced into parliament relating to church discipline, and explained the difference between them, observing, that as it had been alleged that these bills were generally disliked by the clergy, it would be satis

In

factory to him to know what the sentiments of his clergy were upon this matter. the last place, the bishop spoke of the pluralities bill, which since the first day of the visitation had become the law of the land. This bill was introduced into the House of Commons in December last, and remained under the consideration of that house six months before it was sent to the upper house. The consequences of this delay were, that its details were to be considered when most of the bishops had necessarily left town to attend to their duties in their several dioceses. His lordship, however, expressed his hope and belief that it would not be unacceptable to the parochial clergy; but that, on the contrary, many of the powers given by this act would be found beneficially applicable in many parts of the kingdom.

HAMPSHIRE.

On the 12th instant, the church of St. John the Baptist, at Redhill, in the parish of Havant was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Winchester.- Salisbury Herald.

The following gentlemen, of Winches. ter School, are placed on the roll to fill vacancies at New College, as they occur:

Messrs. Littlehales, Cotier, Ellison, Barter, Lee, Warner, Selwyn, Bathurst, White, Paul, Miller, Austin, Carter, Norman, Lawrence, Moberly, Bridges, Phillott.

KENT.

A subscription has been set on foot, headed by the Archbishop and the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, for the purpose of raising a sufficient sum to erect a church and clergyman's residence in the ville of Dunkirk.-Kentish Observer. [The place where the riots of Thom's followers recently took place.]

LANCASHIRE.

RISLEY DISSENTING CHAPEL.-An act of restitution was lately performed at Peasfurlong, in the parish of Winwick, Lancashire, by the surrender of the possession of Risley Chapel, and the property attached to it, about ten statute acres of arable land, a farm house, and four cottages, situated in the same parish, by the Unitarian trustees, into the bands of new trustees, professing orthodox principles, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Ralph, the Rev. Mr. Park, of Liverpool, the Rev. Mr. Munro, of Manchester, and certain laymen resident in these towns, all of them members of the established church of Scotland. The ex-trustees, with incredible con. tumacy, had refused to shew the title. deeds; but when a bill was filed against VOL. XIV.-Sept. 1838.

them by her Majesty's Attorney-General, in the Court of Chancery, they could not answer it. The Unitarians had no more right to the possession of Risley Chapel than of Westminster Abbey. We mention this for the encouragement of others to follow the example that has been set them. It has been often publicly asserted, and never contradicted, that there are in England more than a hundred chapels, many of them with rich endowments, which were, like Risley Chapel, erected for the maintenance and diffusion of the doctrine of the atonement, which chapels are now unjustly and unlawfully held in possession by the Unitarians.-Liverpool Paper.

LEICESTERSHIRE.

CHURCH-RATE MEETING AT CASTLE DONINGTON.-This little town has been for the last six weeks in a state of excitement by the anti-church party canvassing almost every rate-payer to vote against a church-rate that they expected would be asked for. Notice to that effect was given by the churchwardens for the meeting to take place on Thursday, the 26th July. The friends of the church then commenced an active canvass, and the promises they received convinced them that they had nothing to fear, which was fully borne out by the conclusion of the four days' polling, which terminated on Monday week. For the rate, 294; against it, 81.-Leicester Journal.

MIDDLESEX.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE EMPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL CURATES IN POPULOUS PLACES.-A meeting of this Society was held at No. 4, St. Martin's Place, on Thursday the 19th July; his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury in the chair. There were present, the Bishops of Lincoln, Salisbury, and Chichester; the Rev. Chancellor Dealtry; the Rev. Sir H. Dukinfield, Bart.; the Rev. B. Harrison; T. D. Acland, Esq., M.P.; Joshua Watson, Esq.; Benjamin Harrison, Esq.; S. F. Wood, Esq., &c. Grants were made to incumbents of fifteen parishes and districts for the employment of additional curates. The society has to this day granted the sum of 6,0751. to 83 parishes and districts, the aggregate population of which is one million six hundred thousand, and includes parishes in manufacturing and mining districts, provincial towns, country villages, and places in or near the metropolis.

TITHE MEETING.-August 9th, a meeting of the land-owners in the parish of Hendon, Middlesex, was held at the Grey3 в

bound Inn, Hendon, for the purpose of commuting the great and small tithes of the said parish. Hendon contains about 8,000 acres of land, the great tithes of which belong to Mr. J. Fletcher, and several other persons; the small tithes to the Rev. T. Williams, the vicar. After a desultory conversation, it was proposed to have the agreement for commuting the great tithes at a valuation made on the year 1832, which would make a total for the great tithes of 1,563l. The vicar then proposed either to take the average of the seven years (to be ascertained by reference to his books), or to take 800l. a-year; but in consequence of the absence of a large portion of the land-owners, the meeting was adjourned.-Times.

CHAPLAINS OF THE METROPOLITAN PRISONS. In consequence of the new system of prison discipline, the duties of the clergymen appointed to administer religious and moral instruction to the prisoners have increased, more especially in the larger gaols, and where the separate system is enforced to such an extent as to render it absolutely necessary that the whole time of the chaplain should be devoted to the inmates. Under these circumstances, it has been considered by the magistracy of Middlesex and Westminster that the salary should be increased, or an additional chaplain appointed. The latter course has been recommended by the visiting justices of the House of Correction, Clerkenwell, the largest prison in the kingdom, and containing, on an average, 1000 prisoners.-Times.

CONSECRATION OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH, GLOBE ROAD, MILE-END.--On Thursday, August 16th, the Bishop of London consecrated the new church, in the Globe Road, Mile End. It is situate at the north-east corner of the park belonging to Messrs. Charringtons, ale-brewers.

We

understand that the ground was purchased from those gentlemen by the managers of the Metropolitan Churches Fund, at merely a nominal price, and that the expenses of the building (about 4000l.) were entirely defrayed from that fund. The communion plate and books were presented by the Bishop of London. The church contains sittings for 1300 persons, more than onehalf of which are free; more convenient and comfortable than in any church in London.-Times.

The Rev. Dr. Huntley has presented 500l. as a donation to the charity school of the parish of Marylebone.

NORFOLK.

The petition from the Archdeacon of Norfolk and the clergy, presented to the

House of Lords by the Bishop of Rochester, was signed by the chancellor of the diocese and 180 of the clergy, and was not pointed, as erroneously stated in the parliamentary report, against the 15th and 16th clauses only of the Benefices Plurality Bill, but against all those clauses in the bill which confer additional powers on the ecclesiastical commissioners, and indeed against the principle of the commission.--Norfolk Chron.

The petitions against the Maynooth grant, to which the signatures of near 300 highly respectable individuals have been attached, were presented to the House of Lords by Lord Kenyon, and that to the House of Commons, by Lord Ashley.-Ib.

AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE REGISTRATION ACT.-A woman was sentenced by Mr. Justice Littledale, at the Norwich Assizes, to four days' imprisonment, for refusing to give information concerning the birth of her child to the registrar, when requested to do so. She had been told that she need not give that information, as she had had her baby christened at church. The judge told her she was bound by law to give the information, and he might have imprisoned her two years for her offence.

SHROPSHIRE.

TITHES. From the 18th of Nov., 1856, to the present time, 357 notices have been inserted in the Shrewsbury papers for commuting the tithes of parishes and townships, in Salop and in Wales-namely, 11 in 1836; 183 in 1837; and 174 in the seven months already elapsed of the present year.-Kidderminster Messenger.

SOMERSETSHIRE,

BATH AND WELLS DIOCESAN CHURCH BUILDING ASSOCIATION. -A public meeting was recently held at Weston-superMare, to form a district committee of the association for the deanery of Axbridge, and jurisdiction of Glaston. The right rev. the president of the association occupied the chair, in his lordship's usual courteous and able manner.

A very

appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Edward Wilson, from St. Luke, chap. vii., ver. 4, 5, and part of the 6th. The resolutions were severally moved and seconded by Hutchinson Synge, Esq., the Rev. Roger Carus Wilson, (who has had great experience in church building in his own populous parish of Preston, in Lancashire,) the Rev. Edward Wilson, the Rev. Josh. Ditcher, the Rev. D. M. Clerk, the Rev. W. Gunning, the Rev. R. A'Court Beadon, Henry Davis, Esq., the Rev. S. Rowley, the Rev. Jos. Haythorne, H. Seymour, Esq., and the Rev.

H. Barker. The following gentlemen were appointed the committee:-Hon. and Rev. Lord Thynne, Rev Alfred Harford, Rev. G. H. Templer, Rev. J. Haythorne, Rev. J. Kempthorne, Rev. Rich. A'Court Beadon. The lay members are, the High Sheriff, Sir J. Mordaunt, bart.; J. H. Smyth Pigott, Esq.; T. Roworth, Esq.; H. Synge, Esq; J. T. Knyfton, Esq. The Hon. and Rev. Lord John Thynne, and H. Synge, Esq., were elected the clerical and lay members to attend the quarterly and other meetings of the general committee at Wells, as the representatives of the district committee. The collection amounted to upwards of 60l., of which about 15 guineas were annual subscriptions.- Bath Herald.

The Ven. Archdeacon of Taunton held his visitation in that town on Wednesday, August 15th, which was fully attended Ibid.

STAFFORDSHIRE.

SABBATH OBSERVANCE.-On July 23rd, at one of the largest meetings of ironmasters that ever took place in this county within the recollection of the oldest in the trade, held at Mr. Crockett's, Handsworth, it was unanimously resolved, "that no work of repairs &c. shall be done on the Sabbath-day in any forges or mil's, but that they shall be shut up from Saturday night until Monday morning, to give all the workmen an opportunity of attending some place of worship." And also "that all the blast furnaces shall stop on the Sunday, from six o'clock in the morning until about that time in the evening, so far as it can be made practicable." The anxiety displayed at this meeting to carry out these plans to the fullest extent by all the ironmasters present was beyond all praise, and it is hoped the workmen will be equally unanimous in availing themselves of the opportunity thus afforded them of attending Divine worship, and that they will fully reap the moral and religious benefits which these benevolent rules are intended to bestow.-Wolverhampton Chron.

SURREY.

STREATHAM.-On Tuesday, July 31st, a meeting of landholders and occupiers in this parish was held at the office of the Tithe Commissioners for England and Wales, in Somerset House, for the purpose of agreeing to the commutation of the tithes of the above parish into a rentcharge, under the statute 6 and 7 William the Fourth, chap. 71; and also to appoint a valuer or valuers to apportion the total sum to be paid to the rector, the Rev. Mr. Blunt, in lieu of the large and small tithes hitherto annually collected by him.

Mr. Barker was in the chair. The owners, or representatives of the owners, of the greater part of the property in the parish were also present. A previous meeting, on the same question, was held at the Greyhound Inn, in Streatham, on the 21st ult; but for various reasons it was found advisable to adjourn the further consideration of the proposition to Somerset House.

From the returns laid before the meeting, it appeared that the income derived from the parish in tithes has varied from 2,0001. a-year to 1,190. There are 2,700 acres in the parish. The number of rated houses is 760, and according to the census of 1831, the population is 5,000. The average value of the rector's income had been estimated at 1,2227., but he had agreed to accept 1,200l. There is a chapel of ease within the financial territory, which is attended by the Rev. Mr. Muggridge. The greater part of the land is held on long leases, and the lessees have generally a greater interest in it than the freebolders.

On the proposition that 1,2001. a-year be allowed to the rector, in lieu of tithes, being put by the chairman,

Mr. Borrodale asked whether this sum would include Easter offerings, or be independent of them?

A parishioner said that the Easter offerings would still be collected. They would not, however, amount in the aggregate to more than 251., being but 2d. per head for the whole population above the age of 16, including servants.

Mr. Borrodale thought that the collection of Easter offerings would continue those heartburnings and bickerings which the parishioners now proposed to terminate by the commutation. He had heard of pitfalls being dug in the paths of the tithe collectors, and perhaps the same reception would be prepared for the collectors of the Easter offerings.

Upon further discussion, it appeared that Easter offerings are not controlled by Act of Parliament. They are guaranteed by immemorial custom. It appeared also, that a rent-charge is not redeemable, as the successor to the existing incumbent is entitled to whatever benefit is derivable under the Tithe Commutation Act. Al. though the rent-charge is to be perpetual, its amount will not be the same every year, for it will vary with the price of corn, by which it is regulated.

The Chairman added, that the rector being to be paid, strictly speaking, in bushels of corn, the amount of rent-charge to be paid in any one year must be decided by the price per bushel of wheat, oats, and

barley, as published in the Gazette under the authority of the Act of Parliament. If a tenant should refuse to pay the rentcharge to the rector, the landlord should pay it, and then come in the rector's place and deduct the tithes from the farmer's produce, as well as receive the rent. In some years the rent-charge would no doubt exceed 1,200l., in others it would be less, but as the parishioners would still have to pay only the worth of the same number of bushels, the difference could not affect them in the long run.

A parishioner (to his neighbour)—If you shall have three or four shillings an acre more to pay under the new system, will you not be much dissatisfied?

The neighbour-Yes, very much indeed; but then if I should not agree, the commissioners would come and settle it for me.

The Chairman. Yes, and at much greater expense. He added that the rentcharge would take effect upon the 1st of October next following the confirmation of the agreement. He supposed that would be October next year.

On the motion of Mr. Elliot, the proposition for 1,2001. was agreed to, and the deed was sent round for signatures.

The Chairman said, they had now to appoint one or more valuers to apportion the rent-charge. Those officers would have to survey the ground, and to decide upon the value of the produce, and the liability of every acre. They must, therefore, be persons of great experience and diligence, and of considerable attain

ments.

Mr. Fuller, of Croydon, and Messrs. Giles, Peyton, and Gould, were successively nominated.

Mr. Elliot spoke highly of the zeal, acquirements, bonour, and independent spirit of Mr. Fuller, who was also an experienced surveyor.

A discussion now ensued as to the probable expense, and

Mr. Dawson, an engineer officer, in the employ of the Tithe Commissioners, was sent up to give information to the gentlemen on this point. He said, that to survey the parish and present it in an accurate map, would cost about 1s. an acre; the valuation and apportionment would cost about 5d. an acre more.

The map should be executed on a scale of not less than four chains to an inch, and then, having been tested and approved, it would receive the seal of the Tithe Commissioners, and be in future admitted as legal evidence. A map compiled from maps of estates would never receive this sanction. If the working documents and other ma

terials necessary to judge upon should not be sent to the Commissioners, then the Commissioners would send their own officers to survey the land again, the expense of which the parish would also have to pay. Parties might use their own maps for the purpose of apportionment, but they would not constitute legal evidence. The Commissioners were authorized in this respect by the 64th clause of the 55th section of the Tithe Commutation Act. The entire expense of the survey and apportioning for the parish of Streatham would be about 2001., a portion of which would have to be paid by each holder, according to the trouble his tenement had given the valuers and surveyors.

Mr. Elliot and other gentlemen spoke of the kind and accommodating disposition of the rector.

Mr. Borrodale then complained that the average had been made too high; eight hundreds would have been enough.

Another parishioner was of the same opinion.

After some further multifarious discussion, Messrs. Fuller and Gould were ap. pointed surveyors and valuers.

Mr. Dawson was then thanked for his information, and the meeting adjourned, leaving a committee to arrange terms for the surveyors.-Surrey Standard.